The workshop manager has a real issue with health and safety and believes that the industry has gone health and safety mad; he sees no reason to do risk assessments.
I have tried to explain the reason why we want to take care and ensure employees are trained in even basic issues but he is obstructive when we start to speak about risk assessments.
Are they really necessary? If so how do I deal with this manager?
In response to your first question is health and safety necessary, the simple answer is yes.
Unfortunately we are unable to turn back time after an accident has occurred, and in just a few minutes an employee’s life can be ended or changed significantly as a result of a simple mistake.
This situation is clearly demonstrated in a case that was heard about this month, when a motor vehicle repair company was fined after a 27 year old work experience student was crushed to death by a vehicle
Trafford Magistrates’ Court heard on 20 December 2014, Muhammed Zohaib Yasin, had been working at, Just Mercedes Limited, watching another employee carry out repair work on a Vauxhall Corsa.
Mr Yasin was at the front of the vehicle as he added some antifreeze to the engine. The mechanic went to the driver’s side opened the door and turned the ignition on from outside of the vehicle. The vehicle shot forward trapping and crushing the young man, who later died from his injuries.
A Health and Safety (HSE) investigation found no defects with the vehicle, but it had instead been left in gear with the handbrake off.
HSE found that the employees of Just Mercedes Limited had not been given any specific instructions on selecting gears and use of the handbrake when parking vehicles, on or off ramps. No specific instructions had been given to employees on operating the ignition from outside of the vehicle. There was no system in place for storage of keys.
HSE inspector Lisa Bailey said after the hearing: “Had the company ensured employees were trained and instructed on moving vehicles around the garage safely then this tragic incident might not have occurred.”
Just Mercedes Ltd, of Shentonfield Road, Sharston Industrial Area, Wythenshawe, Manchester, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and were fined £33,000 with £12,000 costs.
An induction for all employees, and clear instructions may have saved a life, and as such would be sensible to undertake.
How can you deal with the manager?
You have already attempted to explain the importance of Health and Safety but unfortunately this is not being heeded by the manager. It is recommended that you give the manager clear instructions detailing what you expect the manager to do with regard to Health and Safety. Remember that any instruction you give the manager must be measurable. You must be able to monitor whether he has complied with an instruction, for example you may instruct him to;
‘ensure that every employee working within the workshop has the following Personal Protective Equipment..........’
and that all employees are given basic instruction in the following areas;
- Manual handling
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Use of vehicle jacks, stands and lifts
Having issued the manager with clearly defined instructions you will be able to monitor whether he has complied with these instructions.
If he fails to comply you should follow the disciplinary process for misconduct, and check your disciplinary procedure because on occasions failing to obey a reasonable instruction can, depending upon the circumstances, constitute gross misconduct and entitle you to dismiss the manager without notice.
If you are in any doubt as to how to deal with the manager contact the RML legal helpline and specific advice and documentation can be provided.
